How to care for laminate flooring in the apartment: features coverage wet cleaning methods, removal of defects

Today, laminate flooring is very popular. Laminate finds application in private houses, apartments and even offices. This is due to the mass of its virtues: functionality, resistance to mechanical stress, attractive appearance and low price. To prolong the life of the laminate, it is necessary to know what he is is, and observe some of its care instructions.

The structure of the laminate

Often referred to as a covering laminate flooring, but, of course, between him and the usual parquet, there is a big difference. Laminate - a kind of "layer cake", which is composed of several layers:

1. Stabilizing. Is a thick kraft - a cardboard impregnated with melamine. To improve the properties of the laminate thereto sometimes further bonded sound-insulating layer.
2. Carrier. It is believed the primary coating layer. In the low-cost models, it consists of a dense board chipboard, laminate in the higher price category - from natural wood, a lot stronger than particleboard. The carrier layer cut locks, through which slats are connected.
3. Decorative. It is plain paper with applied pattern imitating natural wood and all breeds, and ceramic tile, and marble, and even the sea pebbles. This layer also has a melamine impregnation.
4. Protective. The uppermost, on the quality and thickness depends term preservation of good appearance of the laminate.

Besides classical, commercially available as Water-resistant species this flooring. The support layer in these is not made of wood or particle board, and of a very strong plastic with airbags. Caring for such laminate is much simpler than the usual.

Classes laminated coatings

Especially for laminate durability classes have been developed. They help to facilitate the choice of the buyer, based on its needs and capabilities. Laminated coating operation type is divided into two groups: those for domestic use (21, 22, 23 class) and commercial (31, 32, 33 class). Coverage of the second group are characterized by high resistance to wear, they are very strong and are commonly used in places where it is often a lot of people. To properly care for laminate flooring in the apartment, it should be consider the classification of these coatings more detail:

• 21 class - the household, or home laminate. Not a good protective layer nevlagostoyky. It is easy to lose color, scrapes formed quickly, scratches and chips. The service life of not more than 2 years.
• 22 class - domestic flooring. More durable than the previous one. Despite this, it is not necessary to use it in places where often go in the corridors, in the kitchen. The service life can be more than 3 years. Extend it will use the carpet.
• 23 class - the most durable laminate of all household classes, for this reason is suitable for any room at home or apartment. period - more than 4 years.
• Class 31 - commercial coating. The most inexpensive laminate for commercial applications. It is distinguished by higher strength in comparison with any household class. At home, life - about 12 years.
• Class 32 - Commercial laminate. His term of service in commercial-type buildings is on average 5 years. The apartment, even in areas with high traffic, it can be used for 15 years.
• 33 class - the commercial. It characterized by high strength, moisture resistance, and sound insulation properties. Since such a laminate can withstand intense pressure, at home it will last about 20 years.

care Regulations

Since the top layer of the floor covering is exposed constant mechanical stress, It quickly loses its quality: durability, color, glossy shine. To extend its service life, it is necessary to properly care for the laminate.

Caring for laminate flooring in the apartment is carried out taking into account the durability of the class. If the room is used by coating a low price point, it should be remembered that excessive moisture penetrating into the joints between the sections, will cause swelling of the upper layer. Daily cleaning of the floor must be dry. It is better to make it with a vacuum cleaner with special include the long brush. Vacuum cleaners should be carefully without scratching the floor with dirt and sand.

Do not also forget about wet cleaning, which must be carried out at least once a week. To care for the flooring laminate domestic class do not use detergent cleaner, too wet rags, as well as detergents containing aggressive corrosives. Such a laminate is wise to protect the carpet in places where often go, try not to move the furniture on it. Emerging defects should be restored as soon as possible, since such coverage they tend to rapidly worsen.

Caring for laminate class 33 and other business going on a little bit different. The protective layer of this coating is very durable, not afraid of prolonged exposure to moisture, so it is rarely possible to vacuum, but frequently wash. For such a floor cleaner can be used a detergent, a wet cloth, means for removing stains containing alcohol, acid and alkali. Laminate these classes is characterized by good resistance to mechanical stress, for this reason, it rarely occur various injuries.

Detergents

For sale is a large amount of funds for the floor cleaning. Choosing means for care laminated coating should be alert and aware that powders for this goals are not suitable because they contain abrasive particles, which will leave scratches on the glossy layer coverage. Not suitable as potent bleaching, disinfectants, and agents containing alkalis and acids.

Important acquire a special household chemicals to care for laminate flooring. These tools usually have soap base with the addition of organic antibacterial agents, glycerol, alcohol, perfume. Their cost from 100 thousand to 1. rubles, depending on their composition and the manufacturer. But do not worry, they are very cost-spent, and even the most expensive of them will last for a long time. Special care agent laminate is recommended to dilute the average dosage of 1.5 to cap 10 liters of water. laminate should be washed with such a solution is not more than once a month.

Methods for wet cleaning

If the hand is not a special detergent for the laminate, it is possible to use any neutral pH. In addition, you can effectively clean a floor by means of which is in every house and practically worthless:

1. It needs only water and a rag. Those who in the flat laminate floors, it is recommended to buy a special flat mop with a mechanism for pressing cloth. Next, it's simple. It is necessary to pour a bucket of water, wet the cloth, wring it, wipe the floor, and then rub it with a dry cloth.
2. This time will be needed hot water and a rag. The water will need to be much heat as hot water will help to better clean the laminate. Do not worry, because when using a sweeper hands do not touch the water, therefore, burn them will be impossible. Actions are the same as in the first method: wet, wring, wash, wipe.
3. In this case, you need water, a rag and vinegar. This method will help, if in some places there were contamination and luster faded. One liter of water should be slightly warmed, to pour a quarter cup of white vinegar and mix thoroughly. Thus prepared is necessary to fill water in the dispenser, spray on problem areas of the floor and then rub with dry cloth. Once again acquire surface gloss, should be rinsed with clean water and wipe dry.
4. need water, cloth and baby shampoo. We need to pour in a bucket of very hot water, add to two tablespoons of baby shampoo and stir. Further cleaning should be carried out in the usual way.

helpful hints

Laminate flooring, especially commercial, is quite strong. But nevertheless, they are vulnerable to a variety of injuries. Subject to certain precautions, you can prevent the appearance of defects. And if they still have any, there several ways to address them.

1. You need to buy a special mat on the rubber base and put it at the front door, as it was in the hallway laminate portion most polluted and is erased.
2. It is impossible for a long time left in the laminated coating ponded water, the floor must be immediately wiped dry. Near the crane with water, flower pots, the joints between the sections you want to process a waterproof sealant.
3. To prevent scratches, can be worn on the legs of furniture, felt or rubber caps. Under the furniture, which often moves on the floor, you can also put a special transparent mats. If you still have any scratches, you must treat them right color crayons. To this end, the floor surface must be cleaned of dirt and grease, dry, spend some time fine at the place of scratches, until it disappears, and after some time to polish the surface dry cloth.
4. If you have any spots they should be removed immediately as the substance rapidly eats into the seams. Spots of alcoholic beverage can be easily removed with soap solution, chocolate, fat and juices - a shower gel or shampoo neutral pH - factor. If the laminate stuck chewing gum or drops of wax, you need to give them zastynut, and then remove the wooden scraper. Traces of markers or markers can be easily removed with a mixture of one teaspoon or solvent of methanol and two tablespoons of water.

Laminate very beautiful and practical. With proper selection of the material, calculating the load and proper care it can last at home for more than ten years.